Science + Technoloy + Engineering + Mathematics

Science-Technology-Engineering-Math (STEM) Jobs & Education Forecast

In their report STEM, the Center on Education and the Workforce (CEW) at Georgetown University estimated that 2.4 million traditional STEM* jobs need to be filled between 2008 and 2018. Since that 2010 report, CEW’s forecast has been extended to 2020, with the number of STEM jobs to be filled through then estimated at 2.64 million. Of the estimate through 2020, 1.09 million are new jobs and 1.55 million are jobs created because retiring Baby Boomers will need to be replaced. This estimate does not include the STEM-Competitor jobs in healthcare, professional, and managerial careers and non-STEM related jobs that need to be filled between 2010 and 2020.

Where are the STEM Jobs?

Is there a shortage of STEM workers?

Yes, and it is a complex issue depending on factors such as STEM field, industry, location, and career timing. Where it becomes a clear yes is between two and 10 years out from graduation when we lose 20% of the workers in traditional STEM careers to professional and management jobs outside that sector where the demand for STEM knowledge, skills, and abilities is great.

Using 2010 US Census population and education level data to look only at potential undergraduate degrees, it appears that we can generate the STEM degrees we need by 2018 to take entry-level positions in traditional STEM careers. We know that 1.55 million of the STEM job vacancies due to retiring senior level workers are off the table for new graduates. That leaves the remaining 1.09 million job vacancies, and, certainly many of those jobs will not be at entry-level. Even if we have some surplus of qualified entry-level STEM candidates, shortages are still likely due to:

Being highly employable outside traditional STEM careers because of the demand for their knowledge, skills, and abilities.

Diversion to more attractive salaries and working conditions in jobs outside traditional STEM, which will continue to occur unless organizations increase engagement and retention of their workers.

Increasing demand for STEM talent will occur in step with technological advances that stimulate creation of new technology-based jobs.

How many STEM degrees will be required for the 2.4 million STEM jobs created by 2018?

The Georgetown University Center on Education and the Workforce estimates this distribution of education level by percentage for the number of jobs at that level that need to be filled between 2008 and 2018:

24% or 569,700 will require a graduate degree (Master’s or PhD)

41% or 979,000 will require an undergraduate degree

13% or 306,900 will require an associate’s degree

12% or 295,000 will require some college level education

10% or 226,600 will require a high school diploma

How many people in the US have college degrees?

As of the 2010 US Census,* there are 41,289,000 people 18 years old and over who hold an undergraduate degree. That is 20% of the population residing in the US as it was counted then. The same census shows that 26.7% of our 25-29 year old population hold an undergraduate degree. As of 2010 the educational distribution by percent of the US resident population 18+ was:

20% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher

7.4% hold a master’s degree

1.3% hold a PhD

1.5% hold a professional degree

9% hold an associate’s degree

21% have some college education

34% graduated from high school

15% did not graduate from high school.

*The US Census counts all residents of the US, including foreign citizens who work or attend an educational institution in the US.

How many students graduate with STEM undergraduate degrees and become STEM workers?

Only 19% of all students who graduate with an undergraduate degree have a STEM degree, with 10% working in a traditional STEM field after graduating. After 10 years work experience, just 8% of them remain employed in a traditional STEM career.

How many women graduate with STEM undergraduate degrees and work in STEM?

For all women holding an undergraduate degree, 12% hold a STEM degree, which is 7% less than that for all students. The attrition for women is astonishing. Within two years of graduation, only 5% are still working in a traditional STEM career, and, at 10 years out from graduation, only 3% remain.

African-Americans in STEM

34% of African-American students plan to graduate with a STEM degree

Only 6% of STEM workers are African-Amercan

The attrition of African-American students in non-HCBU educational environments is tragic.

STEM & STEM-Competitor Careers

STEM wages are higher and growing faster than those for non-STEM occupations with comparable levels of education. However STEM wage increases and growth are smaller as a STEM career progresses than those for managerial and professional STEM-Competitor occupations, which are the elite cluster of highest paid earners.

Traditional STEM Occupations

Life and physical scientists

Engineers and engineering technicians

Computer engineers, technicians, administrators

Mathematical scientists

Architects, surveyors, technicians

STEM-Competitor Occupations

Healthcare Professionals, such as doctors, dentists, and nurses

Managerial, such as business executives

Professional, such as lawyers and CPAs

These are the elite occupations of the national economy where compensation is greatest and job satisfaction is highest.

STEM Competencies: Cognitive & Non-Cognitive

STEM competencies are in high demand in managerial and professional STEM-Competitor occupations, which is a primary cause of diversion out of a traditional STEM career.

Cognitive STEM Competencies

STEM Knowledge

Production and Processing

Computers and Electronics

Engineering and Technology

Design

Building and Construction

Mechanical

Mathematics

Physics

Chemistry

Biology

STEM Skills

Mathematics

Science

Critical Thinking

Active Learning

Complex Problem Solving

Operations Analysis

Technology Design

Equipment Selection

Programming

Quality Control Analysis

Operations Monitoring

Operation and Control

Equipment Maintenance

Troubleshooting

Repairing

Systems Analysis

Systems Evaluation

STEM Abilities

Problem Sensitivity

Deductive Reasoning

Inductive Reasoning

Mathematical Reasoning

Number Facility

Perceptual Speed

Control Precision

Non-Cognitive STEM Competencies

STEM Work Interests

Realistic

Investigative

STEM Work Values

Achievement

Independence

Recognition

A Sustainable STEM Workforce

Capability & Capacity Building

Science • Technology • Engineering • Math

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